Where to Place a Garden Bridge

For your first question: Yes, you are the type of person who can have a garden bridge, and no, it's not difficult to add. With that established, where should the bridge go?

For anyone who's ever watched the Dukes of Hazzard or worn open-toed shoes, the obvious location for any bridge is over water or hard-to-pass ground. You won't need our help deciding where those spots are in your outdoor space, so we'll let you to it.

Beauty and Function

For the more aesthetically minded, you may look to traditional Japanese gardens for inspiration. While they look simple, nothing is ever left to chance. Everything, from plants and trees to bridges and lanterns are located and maintained to create beautiful scenes. Take a walk through your outdoor space and find a view that you could see yourself enjoying through one or more seasons. While bridges may symbolize movement from one place to another, they make ideal places to stop and enjoy your surroundings. It is helpful to remember that not all bridges are designed to withstand regular foot traffic. Even so, that doesn't stop them from being part of a stunning and serene setting.

Consider the Elements

While you can pick any location in your backyard or garden for a garden bridge, you can't always choose your climate. If you keep the local weather in mind when you make your selection, you'll be able to ensure more years of outdoor enjoyment. Depending on the relative humidity, insect population and temperature, your choice of materials determines how long your bridge will last. Pressure-treated pine or redwood can resist weathering, while cedar resists insect damage. Galvanized metal resists everything, but doesn't offer the natural appeal of wood. There are no wrong answers, as long you remember to ask the questions.

So keep yourself open to any possibilities, and go with the flow of your outdoor space. We're sure that you'll forget what your garden was like before you crossed this bridge.